Osaka

The Kansai region – which encompasses Osaka, Kyoto and Nara – is the beating heart of Japan, its astonishing number of Michelin-starred restaurants, ancient temples and exuberant street food markets demanding the attention of any travel itinerary. As Japan’s third largest city, boisterous Osaka is known as ‘the nation’s kitchen’ for a reason, so arrive hungry and eat your way around it. Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is also not to miss. Kyoto, Japan’s imperial capital for more than 1,000 years, is steeped in history and culture while nearby Nara is similarly historic, dotted with temples and artwork that date back to the 8th century.

1/11Famous for its bright lights, delicious street food and futuristic architecture, Osaka is one of Japan’s biggest and most entertaining cities

2/11See the city’s famous neon lights with a walk down the canal at Dotonbori, Osaka’s famous food and entertainment district

3/11Take a trip just outside of central Osaka to Minoh Park, one of Japan’s oldest parks and particularly spectacular in autumn

4/11Osaka Castle is one of Japan’s most celebrated landmarks and a symbol of the city of Osaka

5/11Climb to the fifth floor of Tsuntenkaku Tower for fantastic views over Osaka’s Shinsekai District

6/11For the best views over Osaka, take a ride on the 112-metre Tempozan Ferris Wheel

7/11Escape the grid-plan of Osaka in the windswept fields of NaraPhoto: JTB/Argusphoto

8/11Eight temples, shrines and ruins in Nara have been World Heritage listedPhoto: JTB/Argusphoto

9/11Most Japanese temples have gardens and cherry blossoms can been seen in March and AprilPhoto: JTB/Argusphoto

10/11Whatever the season, the temples of Osaka look perfectly in tune with their natural environmentPhoto: Getty Images

11/11Yakushi-ji in Nara is one of Japan’s oldest and most famous templesPhoto: Getty Images

1/11

Famous for its bright lights, delicious street food and futuristic architecture, Osaka is one of Japan’s biggest and most entertaining cities

2/11

See the city’s famous neon lights with a walk down the canal at Dotonbori, Osaka’s famous food and entertainment district

3/11

Take a trip just outside of central Osaka to Minoh Park, one of Japan’s oldest parks and particularly spectacular in autumn

4/11

Osaka Castle is one of Japan’s most celebrated landmarks and a symbol of the city of Osaka

5/11

Climb to the fifth floor of Tsuntenkaku Tower for fantastic views over Osaka’s Shinsekai District

6/11

For the best views over Osaka, take a ride on the 112-metre Tempozan Ferris Wheel

7/11

Escape the grid-plan of Osaka in the windswept fields of Nara

Photo: JTB/Argusphoto

8/11

Eight temples, shrines and ruins in Nara have been World Heritage listed

Photo: JTB/Argusphoto

9/11

Most Japanese temples have gardens and cherry blossoms can been seen in March and April

Photo: JTB/Argusphoto

10/11

Whatever the season, the temples of Osaka look perfectly in tune with their natural environment

Things to do

Nara was Japan's first imperial capital, with cultural artefacts dating back 1,300 years. Nara lies about 30 kilometres east of Osaka, and its small size makes it easy to discover its hidden charms.

While the temples, gardens and historic attractions of Kyoto may get more attention, Nara's heritage is arguably older than Kyoto's and home to some of the most stunning examples of ancient design and architecture in the country. The most famous, Todai-ji, is home to a huge flock of tiny deer, which are sacred in the area.

Nara served as the capital of Japan for 74 years from 710. In 794, the seat of the imperial court was transferred to Kyoto, known as Heian-kyo, and Nara's importance began to wane. Thus Nara has retained its small-town feel: it’s easy to navigate and isn’t cluttered with tourists.

Like Kyoto, the city grew around a grid pattern modelled on Chang'an, the capital of Tang Dynasty China (now known as Xi'an). And whilst the commercial area around the train station could be that of any provincial Japanese city, a visitor does not have to walk too far to step back into time.

1/5Escape the grid-plan of Osaka in the windswept fields of NaraPhoto: JTB/Argusphoto

2/5Eight temples, shrines and ruins in Nara have been World Heritage listedPhoto: JTB/Argusphoto

3/5Most Japanese temples have gardens and cherry blossoms can been seen in March and AprilPhoto: JTB/Argusphoto

4/5Whatever the season, the temples of Osaka look perfectly in tune with their natural environmentPhoto: Getty Images

5/5Yakushi-ji in Nara is one of Japan’s oldest and most famous templesPhoto: Getty Images

1/5

Escape the grid-plan of Osaka in the windswept fields of Nara

Photo: JTB/Argusphoto

2/5

Eight temples, shrines and ruins in Nara have been World Heritage listed

Photo: JTB/Argusphoto

3/5

Most Japanese temples have gardens and cherry blossoms can been seen in March and April

Photo: JTB/Argusphoto

4/5

Whatever the season, the temples of Osaka look perfectly in tune with their natural environment

Photo: Getty Images

5/5

Yakushi-ji in Nara is one of Japan’s oldest and most famous temples

Photo: Getty Images

Things to do

Things to do

We've chosen the must-see highlights of this fantastic city.

Do

Narama-chi

The centuries-old merchant quarter of Nara, Narama-chi is defined by its machiyas, long, narrow buildings that served as residences and shops. Some of these have been preserved and today can be found alongside shops, cafés and museums. It is said that Nara is the home of sake, so do visit Harushika, a sake brewery founded in 1884, for a tour and a taste.

Founded in 728, the Great Buddha Hall of Todai-ji temple is the world’s largest wooden building and houses the world's biggest bronze statue of Vairocana Buddha. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is guarded by two statues of nio, Guardian Kings, each more than eight metres tall, and is surrounded by serene pavilions and gardens.

Fresh fruit smoothies are hard to come by in Japan, so Drink Drank is quite a find. The Asuka Ruby uses three varieties of strawberries; other varieties include avocado-banana and more. Owner Natsu Hirano has been developing her creations for more than 12 years.

Nearly 14,000 square metres in size, Isuien Gardens ("founded on water") is Nara's traditional walking garden. Privately owned, it began as two separate gardens, one landscaped in 1670 and the other in 1899, each contains a pavilion and a pagoda.

Nara's Festival of Lights is held in early August, when up to 10,000 candles are lit across the city. After a candle is lit, it is considered very auspicious if the melting wax forms a flower shape around the wick. Look for the lights around Nara Park and major temples.

This local restaurant's specialty is raw chicken sashimi from a traditional Japanese breed raised on a local farm. The chickens are culled at between 130 to 140 days old for the tenderest meat; yakitori (skewers) and Satsuma-style roast chicken are also on the menu for the less daring.

Local artist Yukiko Nakai uses the roketsu wax-resistant method of dyeing to make modern cloth and accessories. The technique dates from the 8th century. You can pick up ties, bangles and Nakai’s own artwork from the shop next to her gallery.

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